Helvecia Futsal 1-0 Ipswich Wolves
The FA UMBRO Futsal Cup
The English Institute Of Sport, Sheffield.

Helvecia Futsal have become the new national FA Futsal Cup champions, following a dramatic victory over last year’s winners Ipswich Wolves on Sunday evening.

The Final looked all set for extra time when it was still goal-less in the last few seconds, but a piece of quick thinking from Thiago Roberto Diorio won it for the London-based team of Brazilians.

After winning a line-kick, he quickly played it back to their play-making goalkeeper Elizandro Boria Lima. He looked to place a shot, but having spotted Diorio dash into the box, played a perfect pass for his team-mate to flick home from close range with approximately 0.1 seconds showing on the clock.

As soon as Wolves could kick-off again, the final buzzer sounded to leave Helvecia and their noisy bunch of supporters in ecstasy.

It had been a finely matched game over the 30 minutes of play, with both teams constantly probing and looking for the openings that could lead to the first goal.

The flow of the game wasn’t helped in the first half when Anderson Costa looked to fall awkwardly following a challenge and after lengthy treatment from the medical staff, he was carried from the pitch on stretcher but was able to hobble back on to join the celebrations at full time.

Chances were generally at a premium though and it was only in the second half when it looked as though there would be a decider.

Bruno Ferage, Wolves’ main playmaker and the heartbeat of their team, had one of those opportunities when Jiri Lalak chipped a corner across the pitch for him but Ferage’s volley went both high and wide.

With one minute remaining, it could have been so different too, as Lima was forced into making a fine block save to deny Bruno Abreu who had managed to work the room for a shot at goal on the counter attack.

It wasn’t to be for the men from Suffolk though and having tasted victory last year, it’s now their turn to watch a new team of champions be crowned.